Simulation

© 2008 Prentice Hall, Inc. F–1

 Presented By

• Maheen Hayat
• Hira Sheikh
• Adeel Ahmed
• M. Umair

© 2008 Prentice Hall, Inc. F–2

 Outline
 What Is Simulation?
 Applications of Simulation
 Process of Simulation
 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Simulation
 Monte Carlo Simulation
 Simulation and Inventory Analysis

© 2008 Prentice Hall, Inc. F–3

 What is Simulation?
 An attempt to duplicate the
features, appearance, and
characteristics of a real system
1. To imitate a real-world situation
mathematically
2. To study its properties and
operating characteristics
3. To draw conclusions and make
action decisions based on the
results of the simulation
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 Examples of Simulation

• Automobiles
• Biomechanics
• City and urban
• Classroom of the future
• Communication satellites

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 • Engineering, technology, and
processes
• Equipment
• Ergonomics
• Finance
• Flight
• Marine

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 • Military
• Payment and securities
settlement system
• Project management
• Robotics
• Production
• Sales process

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 • Sports
• Space shuttle countdown
• Satellite navigation
• Weather
• Digital Lifecycle
• Disaster preparedness

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 Computer Analysis

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 Simulation Applications
Ambulance location and
dispatching
Assembly-line balancing
Parking lot and harbor design
Distribution system design
Scheduling aircraft
Labor-hiring decisions
Personnel scheduling
Traffic-light timing
Voting pattern prediction
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Bus scheduling
Design of library operations
Taxi, truck, and railroad
dispatching
Production facility scheduling
Plant layout
Capital investments
Production scheduling
Sales forecasting
Inventory planning and control
Table F.1
F – 10
 Types of Simulation

• task trainers
• computer-based
simulations
• manikin-based simulators
• standardized patients

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 Task Trainer

• Task trainers allow

students to practice their
skills on a basic simulator
before working with a live
patient.

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 Some examples of task trainers
include:

• virtual IV trainers
• chest tube insertion trainers
• phlebotomy (blood collection)
simulators
• blood pressure cuff simulators

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 Computer-based simulations

• Computer-based simulations help

simplify abstract concepts with digital
and visual simulations of real patient
presentations.
• These simulations are usually
presented in self-directed learning
modules that allow students to
complete real cases and scenarios
known as virtual patients.

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 Manikin-based simulators

• Manikin-based simulators are

also known as patient
simulators (human and
animal). NAIT has access to a
number of manikins with
varying levels of realism.

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 Some of the more high-tech
manikins can act almost like a
real person – features include:

• talking
• breathing
• pulse and blood pressure

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 Standardized or Simulated
Patients

• Standardized or Simulated
Patients are actors who can recreate
the history, personality and physical
findings of an actual patient in a
realistic and consistent manner. They
are also trained to provide
constructive feedback from the
patient’s perspective.

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 Standardized patients
allow students to practice
their:
• clinical skills
• interview skills
• history-taking skills

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 Define problem

The
Process of Introduce variables

Simulation Construct model

Specify values
of variables

Conduct simulation

Examine results

Select best course

Figure F.1

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 Advantages of Simulation
1. Relatively straightforward and flexible
2. Can be used to analyze large and
complex real-world situations that
cannot be solved by conventional
models
3. Real-world complications can be
included that most OM models cannot
permit
4. “Time compression” is possible

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 Advantages of Simulation
5. Allows “what-if” types of questions
6. Does not interfere with real-world
systems
7. Can study the interactive effects of
individual components or variables in
order to determine which ones are
important

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 Disadvantages of Simulation
1. Can be very expensive and may take
months to develop
2. It is a trial-and-error approach that may
produce different solutions in repeated
runs
3. Managers must generate all of the
conditions and constraints for
solutions they want to examine
4. Each simulation model is unique

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 Inventory Simulation
1. Begin each simulation day by checking to see if
ordered inventory has arrived. If if has, increase
current inventory by the quantity ordered.
2. Generate daily demand using probability
distribution and random numbers.
3. Compute ending inventory. If on-hand is
insufficient to meet demand, satisfy as much as
possible and note lost sales.
4. Determine whether the day's ending inventory has
reached the reorder point. If it has, and there are
no outstanding orders, place an order. Choose
lead time using probability distribution and
random numbers.
© 2008 Prentice Hall, Inc. F – 23
 Using Software in Simulation
 Computers are critical in simulating
complex tasks
 General-purpose languages - BASIC, C++
 Special-purpose simulation languages -
GPSS, SIMSCRIPT
1. Require less programming time for large
simulations
2. Usually more efficient and easier to check
for errors
3. Random-number generators are built in

© 2008 Prentice Hall, Inc. F – 24

 Using Software in Simulation
 Commercial simulation programs are
available for many applications - Extend,
Modsim, Witness, MAP/1, Enterprise
Dynamics, Simfactory, ProModel, Micro
Saint, ARENA
 Spreadsheets such as Excel can be used
to develop some simulations

© 2008 Prentice Hall, Inc. F – 25

 Using Software in Simulation

© 2008 Prentice Hall, Inc. F – 26